Howell Student's Artwork to Earn Recognition in Trenton

Howell High School senior Patrick Campanella has earned a distinct honor for taking his obvious artistic talent and putting it to good use.

Campanella has been named New Jersey's student art advocate of the year by Art Pride New Jersey." The award is given by the state's arts advocacy organization "for making a difference in his community through the arts," according to a press release from the Freehold Regional High School District. 

With just a few months until his graduation, Campanella has used his talents in a variety of ways at the school. As a member of the Autism Spectrum Program he has helped to bring together a variety of students at the school. The efforts to bring together those students with autism with the rest of the school has helped to make the student population a more cohesive unit. 

Part of that effort includes enterprises ranging from designing Autism Awareness ribbons to a mural in the school's Media Center. For those works and more he was recently given the Meritorious Achievement Award from VSA New Jersey Awards Committee in Visual Arts.

In addition to bringing together the student population at his school, Campanella has also shown off some of his impressive works with art shows and sold the pieces through Artsonia, which is an online museum for other student artists.

Being involved in so many organizations, it is understandable that the senior would be so well recognized throughout the hallways. But the senior has found another way to stand out, as every day he wears a different t-shirt with piece of his artwork on it. 

Howell Principal Zina Duerbig said Campanella has definitely left his mark on the school. "He has taught all of us at Howell High School that autistic students can accomplish great things and be important contributors to all that makes us a school community," she said. 

The senior will receive his award at the Governor's Awards in Arts Education on May 5 in Trenton.